Boost Your Chemistry - Boost Your Recovery

One of the things I teach the brain injury survivors I coach is how the chemicals in their brains are working either for them or against them every single day. These chemicals influence mood, motivation, stress levels and even how hopeful someone feels about their recovery.

At first you might feel like this is just science nonsense, but once we break it down you will start to see it as something you can work with, rather than just be a backseat passenger. The real game-changer is something called Intermediate Reinforcements, a concept introduced by B.F. Skinner in the mid 1900s. It’s all about rewarding progress along the way, not just waiting for some big finish line. So how about we break it down to certain chemicals in our brain.

Dopamine: The Motivation Fuel

Dopamine is the brain’s motivation driver, but what many people don’t realize is that dopamine is triggered more by the anticipation of a reward than the reward itself. This is why I encourage my clients to set small goals they can look forward to. Anticipating a positive experience even something simple like a favorite snack after a short walk helps kickstart dopamine and rebuild motivation pathways that are often weakened after a brain injury.

Many of the survivors I coach struggle with motivation after their injury. The things they used to enjoy or feel proud of no longer spark that sense of accomplishment. Even getting out of bed may feel pointless...

One of the first things we work on is celebrating tiny wins. Whether it’s getting dressed, taking a walk or remembering something simple. Each small action deserves recognition. Pairing these small efforts with little rewards like a favorite snack, a quick break or simply acknowledging the progress helps reignite dopamine and rebuild that motivation loop. It is important to switch up the rewards so it stays exciting, even have your caregiver surprise you on what the reward may be.

Serotonin: The Mood Balancer

Serotonin is often called the “feel-good chemical,” helping regulate mood, sleep and overall emotional balance.

After a TBI it is certainly not uncommon to experience mood swings often without understanding why. It is important to build moments of calm and gratitude into your routine teaching to pause and appreciate something small such as sunshine on your face, a text from a friend or simply making it through the day. Reinforcing these moments with internal praise or small rewards helps the brain link positive feelings with simple and achievable actions.

Oxytocin: The Connection Builder

Oxytocin is often called the bonding chemical and for good reason. It is the chemical that helps us feel connected, safe and supported when we are around people we trust. It’s released through physical touch, positive social interactions and the feeling of being part of a community.

For many of the brain injury survivors isolation isn’t always a choice. In so many cases, the people they thought would be there through anything disappear. Friends stop reaching out, family members grow distant and even the people they love most sometimes don’t know how to handle the changes that come with a brain injury. This loss of connection is devastating not just emotionally but chemically. Without those interactions the brain misses out on the oxytocin it desperately needs to feel safe and supported. For me personally this was one of the hardest parts of my recovery, being 19 years old, my friends were a huge impact on my life and losing them hit me as hard as my head against the pavement.

Physical touch plays a critical role in boosting oxytocin. Something as simple as a hug, holding hands with someone you trust helps lower stress and build a sense of calm. I encourage my clients to seek out these moments whenever they can, whether it’s a quick hug from a family member or holding hands with a partner. For those who feel completely isolated we work on building small, manageable ways to reconnect with the world around them

Connection and community are not luxuries but vital parts of the healing process. When survivors learn to associate connection with comfort and positivity again oxytocin helps rewire the brain to see relationships not as threats or reminders of loss but as sources of safety, support and even joy.

Endorphins: The Natural Pain Relievers

Endorphins help with both physical and emotional pain. They are released through physical activity, laughter and positive experiences. This is your chemical super power.

It doesn't take an expert to realize that chronic pain and emotional lows are common with brain injury survivors and caregivers, so finding ways to boost endorphins is key. We create small exercise goals and tie them to rewards. These rewards make it easier to stick with healthy habits that boost endorphins naturally. I think you are noticing the word "rewards" a lot, and for good reason.

Why Intermediate Reinforcements Matter

B.F. Skinner taught us that lasting behavior change doesn’t come from one big reward at the end, yet, comes from consistent small reinforcements along the way. That principle is a lifeline for brain injury survivors and caregivers.

Every time my clients celebrate a small step, whether it’s managing their emotions, completing a task or connecting with someone they are training their brains to link positive feelings to those healthy behaviors. That’s not just encouraging it’s rewiring their brains to crave positive actions.

Small Wins Create Big Change

One of the hardest things for brain injury survivors is believing that small steps matter. Many feel stuck waiting for some huge breakthrough before they’ll feel proud of themselves again. They compare the wins to pre-injury selves. But I’ve seen time and time again how celebrating small wins transforms their mindset, their brain chemistry and their hope.

Your brain is always learning. Let’s teach it that healing feels good.